One of the things I am very proud to be able to say is that, as far as I know, I am the only UK Muslim born male who is a fully qualified and NRCPD registered BSL interpreter.
This may be a big claim to make – but I’m much more proud of the fact (if I’m right) that because of this, I am able to provide access to Deaf Muslims to learn about their religion and culture using BSL and Islamic signs.
This is something that many Deaf Muslims, unlike their hearing peers, have missed out on throughout their early years. Vital religious education that is essential and should have been learned at home from family, friends and at classes.
Islamic education is something that is extremely important for all Muslims. Its about their identity. All this missed out on simply because there was no one who could provide this teaching and access about Islam and what it means to be a Muslim through using ‘appropriate’ Islamic BSL signs.
I started learning BSL in 1997 at level 1 and continued through the levels till I graduated in 2000 from Wolverhampton Uni, with a BA Hons in BSL & English Interpreting and an NVQ 6 after that.
However, I quickly realised that I was the UK’s only Muslim born male with this qualification. So not only would I interpret in the Deaf community in general but it would also naturally make me the first choice interpreter for the British Deaf Muslim community for all deaf Islamic religious events, occasions, festivals, conferences, consultations and training.
Because of this, in 2010 and for the first time in the UK, I was the first and only male Muslim BSL interpreter that provided full BSL access to Deaf Muslims on their pilgrimage to Mecca. It was perfect timing and a perfect match too because the BSL interpreter would have to be a Muslim in order to be allowed to go on the pilgrimage.
It was a hugely spiritual and religious event. It was monumental. For me, it also meant the difficult challenge of interpreting between Arabic, English and BSL in a religious country with a strong Islamic culture and customs that were, on many levels, new to us all! For the next two weeks I interpreted to Deaf Pilgrims that had been dreaming about this amazing journey to the ‘House of God’ for a long time.
Something inside me told me that this was the reason I was put on this path. The reason I was a male Muslim BSL Interpreter. Something inside me told me that this was my pre-ordained destiny and I had to do this.
I interpreted the next two pilgrimages in 2011 and again in 2012 however I quickly became very disheartened with the cost and fees that the Deaf Muslims had to pay for such a deeply personal and religious experience. I decided that asking deaf people to pay more was extremely immoral and wrong, so in 2013, I set up my own independent company to reduce the cost of the pilgrimage for deaf people. I was determined that this would be a completely non-profit company.
This, I thought, is what it should be about. Open, honest and above all, non exploitative. In 2013, I set up my own business and was soon interpreting for a group of Deaf Muslims on the pilgrimage to Mecca. But this time is was cheaper for them and I organised it. This was a two-week pilgrimage that was £400 cheaper than Deaf pilgrims had been paying before. I planned and organised everything from the UK to Saudi Arabia and back. All the while also offering two-weeks full interpreting for free. Now my heart was content and calm. I continue to offer this service, making no profit financially, but gaining so much more spiritually.
I followed this up with my next project which is to provide training to BSL interpreters all over the UK. The training is called ‘BSL interpreting within the Deaf Muslim community’. With my years of experience and knowledge in the subject, I am currently delivering seminars and workshops. These are proving successful, extremely useful and interesting to BSL interpreters who, prior to the course, may have had little understanding and may have felt ill-equipped on issues like how to interpret to Deaf Muslims about their religion or their culture. I love my work.
Tariq Mahmood is the founder of TariqDeafUK (TDUK ) and is (as far as he knows) the UK’s only fully qualified and fully NRCPD registered provider of BSL interpreting to the British Deaf Muslim Community.
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Cathy
September 10, 2013
Typical male ego!
Editor
September 10, 2013
Giving up all that time to provide interpreting for free.. typical!
anton
September 10, 2013
Global travelling for others, wow – interpreting for free – making a real difference! He is a fine pillar of the deaf community. A little envious maybe Cathy?
Sara
September 10, 2013
A true Muslim indeed. Very fair, generous and admirable in all senses. “It’s better to give than to receive” 🙂
Tariq
September 10, 2013
Thankyou Sara.
I’m grateful for your kind words.
I’m just proud that I can do this.
thank you again
Tariq
shanice
September 10, 2013
Lighting the way for others,teaching . A true giver.
yasmin
September 10, 2013
When a muslim child is born deaf,not only do their parents worry about how their child will cope, but how they will learn about islam…..
No one has been around to teach the deaf community about islam and pilgrimage…
You Tariq have this honour.
You are doing it from your heart…
The fact you help deaf pilgrims is enough..
There should be more people like you helping the deaf community and not taking advantage of them…
Iqra
September 11, 2013
It’s amazing what you do! May Allah always bless you and make it easy for you help others 🙂 stay blessed xx
Khalid kiyani
September 11, 2013
You are doing an excellent job and providing a very useful service to the community. Keep it up. May god help you to continue.
Ammara
September 12, 2013
What a wonderful job you are doing Tariq. May Allah reward you and give you the strength to carry on. The community needs more people like you. Good luck with everything you do. You are a star!
Missy
October 7, 2013
@Cathy- It seems that Tariq were kind enough to interpret for free. How is it typical male ego?!
However I would like to say it’s a great article and i thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Tariq- May many good things comes to your ways (God willing).
Tariq
October 7, 2013
Missy.
That’s really kind of you.
Thankyou.
I assure you it’s nothing ego at all i promise.
I was honoured to be able to do that. Nothing to do with ego etc.
But Thankyou for your kind support..you and others.
You don’t know me but your words mean alot.
God bless you all..thanks guys girls.
Tariq
Mary
October 7, 2013
I think Tariq is making interpreting sexy .. Who wouldn’t want Tariq working his magic hands with you on holiday?
Tariq Mahmood
August 18, 2014
Hi Mary
Hope youre well.
Thank you for your support and belief.
you can contact me via my website on
TariqDeafUk.com
Thanks
Tariq
Tariq
October 7, 2013
Its really nice of everyone, Mary,(sexy hands…lol..bless..just simple ole me Mary..lol but thanks you) Missy, Khalid, Yasmin, Shanice, Iqra, Ammara, Sarah, Anton, everyone, even, Cathy, Cathy, im guessing maybe i came across a bit ego in my post or my picture or something and i know that maybe you misunderstood thats all, but honestly, ask anyone who knows me, thats the last thing., and so..anyway, i really appreciate everyones comments and responses. Its nice to do something you enjoy and you kind of forget what it can mean for others, cause it just becomes something you enjoy, a job etc. But then comments from people like you all help remind me that yes, this is a nice path im on and im lucky and blessed. Thank you all for reminding me.
Fozy
November 19, 2013
Amazing – May Allah reward you immensely for your hard work and dedication. This is a field that not many people would choose to go into and I have heard that there is an urgent need for more sign language interpreters. It’s very rare that one would interpret for 2 weeks free of charge, this was a reason that you were put on this path. It’s a real challenge to learn a new language but to learn a language which is not spoken must have been extra challenging.
Can I ask how many female Muslim Interpreters there are in the UK? Would like to hear their experiences too.
I think more of us (that’s both Muslim and Non Muslims !!) should be encouraged to learn Sign Language so we can communicate with the deaf community
Well done Tariq !!! Without people like you deaf people would not have access to Education, Health Services, Religious Sermons, Community Events ect …
Tariq
November 20, 2013
Fozy, thank you so much for your kind comments and support. Its people like you and others here that have also commented to me, that really help sometimes. Its a demanding and difficult skill but i…we all do what little we can in our lives and just hope that it counts on the final day. There are a few female Muslim, BSL signers but very few registered to Fully Qualified BSL Interpreter (and not signer) Status. Perhaps its something you may consider in the future. The Deaf Muslim community is really lacking access (and education in many areas, equally, ) in a big way and more Muslim males females that are professionally qualified could make a huge difference. Nothing is easy in life but as the saying goes…The one who moves a Mountain begins with carrying away small stones.
So….Fozy..Go for it!
Tariq Mahmood
August 18, 2014
Hello Fozy
Thank you for your post.
Im very grateful
you can contact me via my website on
TariqDeafUk.com
Thanks
Tariq
Tariq
December 10, 2013
Thankyou all very very much.
i am continuing to work in this area as well as providing my daily interpreting work .
I can be contacted on Tazmahmood@yahoo.com
Asaan
December 10, 2013
What an amazing story and person Tariq is, allowing members of the deaf community to learn about their Islamic heritage, God bless you and allow you to keep up the hardwork!
Tariq
December 10, 2013
Thank you very much Asaan, its kind of you to take your time and effort to write your kind words of support and encouragement. May God reward you in your efforts.
Fozy
December 21, 2013
My dear brother your profession is very unique and may Allah bless you for the work you do. BSL as far as i am aware is taught visually, It would be difficult for me to learn as my memory is very poor now. Can I ask what steered you into this profession? Did you have family member or friend affected by an hearing impairment?
W’Salaam
Tariq
December 23, 2013
WSA Fozy,…
thank you for your reply. They are kind words and very encouraging. BSL was something i took up to provide language to the Deaf community and partly due to having deafness along the family etc.
I can only Praise to God to have put me on this path. Please do have a look at my website http://www.TariqDeafUk.com.
I thank you and everyone here who has put such kind words that are really humbling to be honest.
jskh.
Tariq
Methusalada
July 10, 2014
Tarig, Pls keep in touch , I know of a young Muslim deaf guy who lived in Slough & was an ardent Arsenal football fan . His father owned a Restaurant in Slough & his son was a very bright deaf guy. I am going back a few years ago now , as time passes so does purpose .It would be good to reconnect . Not sure why though ?
Tariq Mahmood
August 18, 2014
Hello Methusalada
Thank you for your post.
you can contact me via my website on
TariqDeafUk.com
Thanks
Tariq